Wolff: Dropping Senna not financial suicide

Williams told Senna to keep his money, they want a driver who can win

Williams director Toto Wolff insists that the team hasn't committed commercial 'hara-kiri' following its decision to replace Bruno Senna for the 2013 F1 season.

The team has elected to forego Senna's financial backing from Brazil in order to promote test driver Valtteri Bottas into a race seat, leading to speculation about the impact that the decision could have on its budget for the new campaign.

However, Wolff insisted that the team wasn't taking a financial risk in putting Bottas into a race seat at Senna's expense, with the Finn having brought his own backing to the team.

“Finance plays an important role so for us it was important to have the best possible package, and we are happy Valtteri has partners who are committed to Formula One, and have followed him into Formula One," he was quoted by the Scotsman.

“Valtteri has been with the team for a couple of years, and has been an investment until today. But I'm happy to say he is not only doing a great job on track but off it, as we have been quite successful in Finland securing backing. It is not unsubstantial.

“We have loyal partners who are going to stay with us next year. So getting Valtteri on board is not a hara-kiri move from a commercial point of view."